The Kaduna State Police Command has denied allegations made by former governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai that a police gang was responsible for the kidnapping of his former commissioner, Jafaru Sani.
On Thursday, El-Rufai alleged that Sani was abducted by what he called “Uba Sani’s kidnapping gang,” referring to members of the Nigeria Police Force. He also claimed that Sani was placed in custody by a magistrate without any First Information Report (FIR) or formal charges from the State Ministry of Justice.
In response, the spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, released a statement on Friday rejecting the claims. He stated, “To set the record straight, there is no kidnapping gang within the Nigeria Police Force.”
Hassan further explained that the police operate under the authority of the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act, both of which empower them to maintain law and order. He noted that as part of their legal duties, the police have the authority to arrest and investigate any individual suspected of committing a crime.
“Individuals, corporate organisations, and governments have the constitutional right to lodge formal complaints with the police,” he said. “The police also have the mandate to investigate such allegations, and where it is believed that an offence has been committed, such matters will be prosecuted or referred to court.”
The command urged the public, particularly those who have held government positions, to be careful when making accusations against security agencies. They warned against spreading misleading or false claims that could harm the reputation of law enforcement.